NFU v Woking (NL)

Vanarama National League

North Ferriby United v Woking

Saturday 4 March 2017

Kick-off: 3.00pm

Ferriby will be looking for a second successive win when they entertain fellow strugglers Woking on Saturday. The reverse fixture in November was televised live and ended in a one-all draw with Woking grabbing a late equaliser.

Last Saturday’s win at Guiseley was a big boost for Ferriby’s hopes of climbing out of the relegation zone but it is still going to be a major task for them to do so. The Villagers did not play in midweek but most of their rivals did and some of the results did Ferriby few favours. Woking drew further away from The Villagers with a 1-0 win over Dover. Guiseley also won.

Ferriby are seven points away from safety and really do need to beat Woking as there are only 11 games left. The Villagers have only won back-to-back- games once this season, beating both Guiseley and Torquay at home.

Woking have been inconsistent and Ferriby will be hoping to take advantage of that. The villagers will need to improve on their home record which, unfortunately, is the worst in the division. However, they will go in to the game with some confidence following last Saturday’s impressive performance and by the fact that Woking have an indifferent away record. The visitors have won three, drawn two and lost 12 on their travels. They are not short of goal power with 23 away goals scored . They actually have a worse defensive record than Ferriby with 40 goals conceded on their travels and 64 overall.

The team spirit that exists within the Ferriby squad was emphasised by the joy shown with Jake Skelton’s first goal for the club when he scored the winner at Guiseley last Saturday. The Ferriby squad is one where they all play for each other. For a squad which is inexperienced at this level and with limited resources to go in to March still with a choice of climbing out of the bottom four is remarkable.

There are still nine clubs who are in the relegation battle. There will also be one or two clubs like big spenders Eastleigh who will be looking anxiously over their shoulder as two or three poor results could even see them drawn in to the relegation dog-fight. and it could be a test of nerve as well as ability that decides the fate of those that go down.

Commenting on Saturday’s performance, manager Steve Housham said,
“I thought we were the better team throughout, especially in the second-half. It was a massive three points. It was also a tremendous performance from the players.

As far as Woking is concerned, Housham commented,

“We obviously need to build on the Guiseley victory. It is vital that we put together a good and winning performance. Winning not only helps us, it keeps pressure on our rivals and that is important. Nerves will play a big part for all teams now.”

Simon Russell continues with his rehabilitation following a fractured patella. Steve Brogan and Ryan Fallowfield are still out. Hopefully, the rest of the squad will be fit.